AStone
Member
I'm starting this thread to explore the possibility of retraining to shoot a long gun (in my case, rifles) with the "other hand" than what I learned on.
Here's the background.
I'm right handed, so I grew up shooting right handed.
Due to a life transition called living in poverty (for time and money) during grad school, I stopped shooting rifles in my 20's, but got back into it a few years ago.
At that point, I discovered that I'm left eye dominant. (I didn't even know what that meant until I joined THR; before then, I always thought it was normal to shoot with one eye closed.)
Since learning about that, I've started shooting my revolvers as much left handed as right handed. I started training my left hand/arm by dry fire practice, then started at the range once I was fairly confident I'd not make a total fool of myself by dropping the gun or something.
I'm still a better shot right handed, but that margin is getting smaller. Left handed is starting to feel more and more natural for my revolvers. And, of course, sight picture is so much easier for me left handed, and it's comforting to know that if my right hand/arm is injured, I can still shoot.
However, I still shoot my rifles - both Marlin lever guns - entirely right handed. It feels awkward and slow to mount a rifle to my left side. Yet, when I do, my sight picture - especially with the ghost rings on my .30-30 - develops much faster and easier.
Adding to the mix - and motivating starting this thread - I'm now starting to explore ARs (see sig line; I've got the fever). I've learned that Stag, one of the top contenders for me at this very early stage of research, offers both right and left hand models.
So, I thought it'd be worthwhile to consider the plausibility of retraining myself to shoot successfully, confidently and well left handed. If I can do that before buying an AR (which is probably at least months away), then perhaps I should consider buying a left hand model.
Admittedly, this is a long shot. I'm sure there are probably reasons for me not to try this. But I'm just exploring options. My Marlin 336 is a side eject, for example, not ideal for left hand shooters. But if I retrained for left handed shooting, I could still perhaps shoot the 336 right handed.
So,to the question again : has anyone done it personally, or know of others who have? Any links to other threads or pages? Any tips, ideas or caveats?
Thanks in advance for advice.
Nem
Here's the background.
I'm right handed, so I grew up shooting right handed.
Due to a life transition called living in poverty (for time and money) during grad school, I stopped shooting rifles in my 20's, but got back into it a few years ago.
At that point, I discovered that I'm left eye dominant. (I didn't even know what that meant until I joined THR; before then, I always thought it was normal to shoot with one eye closed.)
Since learning about that, I've started shooting my revolvers as much left handed as right handed. I started training my left hand/arm by dry fire practice, then started at the range once I was fairly confident I'd not make a total fool of myself by dropping the gun or something.
I'm still a better shot right handed, but that margin is getting smaller. Left handed is starting to feel more and more natural for my revolvers. And, of course, sight picture is so much easier for me left handed, and it's comforting to know that if my right hand/arm is injured, I can still shoot.
However, I still shoot my rifles - both Marlin lever guns - entirely right handed. It feels awkward and slow to mount a rifle to my left side. Yet, when I do, my sight picture - especially with the ghost rings on my .30-30 - develops much faster and easier.
Adding to the mix - and motivating starting this thread - I'm now starting to explore ARs (see sig line; I've got the fever). I've learned that Stag, one of the top contenders for me at this very early stage of research, offers both right and left hand models.
So, I thought it'd be worthwhile to consider the plausibility of retraining myself to shoot successfully, confidently and well left handed. If I can do that before buying an AR (which is probably at least months away), then perhaps I should consider buying a left hand model.
Admittedly, this is a long shot. I'm sure there are probably reasons for me not to try this. But I'm just exploring options. My Marlin 336 is a side eject, for example, not ideal for left hand shooters. But if I retrained for left handed shooting, I could still perhaps shoot the 336 right handed.
So,to the question again : has anyone done it personally, or know of others who have? Any links to other threads or pages? Any tips, ideas or caveats?
Thanks in advance for advice.
Nem